Armenia

The Application for PFP Spring 2019 is Now Open until November 5, 2018.
The program will take place in the U.S. in April -May, 2019. Exact dates TBD.About the Program
The Professional Fellows Program (PFP)is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by American Councils for International Education in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
The Professional Fellows Program affords promising young professionals the opportunity to gain practical experience in, and exposure to, United States government. The fellows will be part of a larger cohort of the Professional Fellows Program, joining fellows from around the world. The knowledge and interest of these young Eurasian professionals in American political processes will be expanded through short-term fellowships in state legislatures and city halls across the United States, as wel as on Capitol Hill and in non-profit organizations that address policy issues.Program Goals
1 Strengthen understanding of the U.S. legislative process
2 Enhance appreciation of the role civil society plays in shaping public policy and holding the government accountable
3 Create partnerships between institutions in the United States and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine
4 Establish a common language to develop practical solutions for shared problems and concernsEligibility Requirements
To be eligible for PFP, applicants must:
• Be a citizen of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey or Ukraine and currently reside in your country of citizenship. Applicants living outside of their country of citizenship will not be considered eligible to apply;
• Be 25 to 35 years of age at the time of application;
• Be a college graduate (equivalent of a Bachelor's degree or higher);
• Be proficient in English. If you are selected as a semi-finalist, we will give you an institutional TOEFL exam, unless you have a valid TOEFL score over 500 (paper test) or over 60 (iBT test) or its equivalent (for example, valid IELTS band 6 or higher);
• Have relevant experience in and commitment to a career in the public sector and/or nonprofit sector (e.g., legislative, executive, and NGOs that address policy issues); and
• Have demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills (please elaborate on your activities in essays in the end of this application, and submit/upload any certificates/materials demonstrating leadership).Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible to apply to participate as Fellows in the Professional Fellows Program:
• U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States
• Individuals currently participating in academic, training, research programs, or who are currently working in the United States
• Individuals who have already been recipients of and participated in LEAP/LFP/PFP
• Individuals currently residing or working outside their country of citizenship
• Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years
• Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime as further detailed by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural AffairsProgram Dates
Successful applicants will travel to the US on professional fellowships in April - May, 2019.